Switch box



Dec. 10, 1929. G. H. CALHOUN SWITCH BOX Filed Nov. 30, 1925 Fig.1

gwuanfoz nl fr llllll lr r CJ v 4 M Z Patented Dec. 10, 1929 NITED STATES GEORGE H. CALHOUN,

OF LIANSFIELD, OHIO SWITCH BOX Application filed. November This invention relates to switch boxes and pertains to housing for containing electrlcal apparatus necessary to operate electrical devices from a position in the floor, wall, celling or the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to construct a switch box entirely or sheet metal pressed to form on presses or the like.

Another object is to'provide a switch box that is made of metal light in weight and at the same time being of maximum strength in comparison with the thickness of the metal used in its construction. 7

A further object is to provide means for adjusting the switch box in a lateral or vertical direction and afiord facilities for positively maintaining said switch box in any adjusted position and also preventing slipping or displacement thereof from its position af-= 2o ter adjustment.

A further object is to provide means for attaching a plurality of switch boxes in alignment with each other through the medium of the side plates, which are arranged as to be securely attached to or detached from each other. i

A further object is to provide means for removably clamping laths to the switch box and at the same time exert a tension thereon so as to frictionally clamp the ends of the lath to maintain same in a predetermined relative position and further to provide means for clamping the lath of diiierent sizes therein. 7

A further object is to provide means of engaging a plurality of laths of different sizes, exerting a tension thereon, and removably holding same in predetermined positions.

further object or" the invention is to provide an adjustable bracket having a series of holes formed therein having jagged protuberances formed around the circumference of a series of apertures.

Theseand other objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan of the switch box showing a view of the bracket and tension to hol n lath means showing the bracket se- 30, 1925. Serial N0. 72,104.

cured to a stud and the lath engaging the tenslon clamping means.

Figure 2 1s a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vlew at one side of the switch formed therein, which through the medium oi screws threadedly engaged therewith means are provided to secure a face plate or the like thereto closing the open end of the switch box.

The parts 1, 2 and 3 are secured'or assembled together through the medium or" tongues 8 and aperture 9 or the like, which are pressed from a portion 01 the sides or ends asmore clearly shown in Figure 1.

A turned portion 10 is provided having a screw 11 fitted to the screw aperture formed therein as shown in Figure 1. Knock out plugs 12 and 13 are formed on each side 01" the box for a purpose well known to those skilled in the art as shown more clearly in Figure 3. The sides and central bent portion forming the box are made of sheet metal and formed under presses (or pressure) by appropriate dies to any particular form de sired or most convenient for the installation and construction of the switch box.

The features hereinbeiore described are conventional in the art and do not form any part of the invention. The invention will now be described with the features that are used in connection with or in association with the switch box just herein described or its equivalent.

A bracket let is formed of channel iron having sides or flanges 15 and 16 extending outwardly toward the plaster. The bracket member has a portion 17 bent at right angles thereto to provide means of attaching same to the. switch box hereinbefore described. The member is rounded in form at the intersection as shown at 18 to give more strength and rigidity at the turned portion at the intersections of the right angular portions.

A plurality of apertures are provided and arranged in alignment with each other horizontally and vertically as shown at 19. These apertures are formed therein by sharp pointed punch or the like by which an aperture is formed in the bracket and jagged protuberances are also formed surrounding said apertures leaving on the inner side thereof a series of jagged protuberanoes 20, which are adapted to be imbedded into a stud 21 or the like. The bracket is secured to the switch box on one side in any well known manner preferably by rivets 22 or the like. A U shaped clamping and yielding tension member 23 is attached in opposed relation to the bracket on the opposite side of the switch box and at a predetermined distance from the ends of the side member in alignment with the bracket member, so as to position the lath and stud in substantial alignment with each other and provide means for plastering around and beneath the box. In other words both the bracket and the clamping tension member are attached in offset relation and rearwardly from the open end of the box in such a manner as to provide for attachment to the stud and to the laths without moving from their relative positions within,

. the clamp.

The tapered sides of the U-shaped memhere, which are tapered toward the bottom provide means of inserting therein a lath or a plurality of laths of different sizes especially with regard to the thickness thereof. The U-shaped members are attached to the box on the opposite side of the bracket by any well known fastening means. The preferred method of attachment being by rivets 26.

The bracket is attached to the stud 21 by nails 27 or the like. In constructing a switch box or the like as hereinbefore described attention is called to the fact that the switch box may be attached to a stud or studs that are located at different distances from the side of the switch box. It is only necessary to shift same in a sidewise direction and drive in a pair of nails, two pairs or three pairs according to degree of adjustment necessary to attach the bracket to a stud or the like located at different distances from the switch box. It will of course be understood that the switch box should be attached in close proximity to the stud so as to give it better support and to hold same in position thereby giving it more rigidity than otherwise would be obtained.

The jagged portions surrounding the apertures, it will be observed, are driven into the stud and by imbedding said jagged protuberances therein to prevent the bracket, which is attached to the switch box from moving or slipping from its predetermined adjusted position.

In forming the bracket of channel iron and turning same. at right angles a bracket of greater strength is provided and a channel is provided in which the plaster can flow and thereby assist in holding the switch box in normal position.

It will be observed that a plurality of switch boxes may be arranged in juxtaposition to each other in what is termed in ganged relation and maintained in such positions in a conventional way, as is well known to electricians skilled in the art of installing switch boxes or the like.

Attention is called to the fact that one or more tension clamps or brackets maybe used in association with the switch boxes or the like without departing from the spirit or principle of the invention.

The invention primarily is constructed so as to provide a switch box with its associated parts made entirely of sheet metal, which can be pressed under presses or the like to any form desired most convenient and efficient for installation.

The labor, convenience and efficiency of the lather is greatly facilitated and made easy by means of U-shaped clamping yielding tensioning member, which provides support for the broken or interrupted lath or the like.

The inventive act and step involved to advance the art, as shown in the drawings and described in the within specification and claim, are to provide a new feature, that is co-operation between the yielding means for. clamping the broken ends of the lath, even though out of line therewith, and at the same time providing means for positively and rigidly holding the switch box in adjusted position when the yielding clamping means simultaneously exerts pressure upon the ends thereof irrespective of the size of the lath I claim:

The combination with a switch box having side walls, ofa laterally extended channel shaped member attached to one sidewall, said member having a plurality of perforations with upstanding jagged edges, and a flexible U-shaped member attached to the opposite side wall.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE E. CALHOUN. 

